I know nothing about the quality of these, but they fit your price requirement. Personally I'd go with CalTracs, but they are $395.

https://www.cjponyparts.com/scott-drake-performance-traction-bars-pair-1965-1966/p/TMB8/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAz6q-BhCfARIsAOezPxnCY1Wj0GSVlXzbHmBYLsJHMXv30yPjc4emUi3DRAgK9qHx-LuXyOwaApmjEALw_wcB

Raymond_B wrote:

I know nothing about the quality of these, but they fit your price requirement. Personally I'd go with CalTracs, but they are $395.

https://www.cjponyparts.com/scott-drake-performance-traction-bars-pair-1965-1966/p/TMB8/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAz6q-BhCfARIsAOezPxnCY1Wj0GSVlXzbHmBYLsJHMXv30yPjc4emUi3DRAgK9qHx-LuXyOwaApmjEALw_wcB

I have what used to be called "Traction Masters".  They completely halted my wheel hop.  Some say cal-tracs are better.  I don't know about that.  Look to others for that.  

Mine have been on for around 30 years with no problems, and I have even replaced the bushings last year.  They finally wore out.
 

4.5 leaf springs. DONE  
Anything else is a bandaid

Being a cougar leaf spring variety is limited. I would have to go with their HD springs or modify my own. Which sounds like my price point option. Also have a pinion snubber on the way too.
Thank you for the tips.

BobE wrote:

John Ha wrote:

Didn't someone have a "how to" posted a while back showing how to build the Shelby-style traction bars?
 

Yes, 'Kaz' posted a how-to build a Caltrac setup around 2011.  I did build, and install, a set, it did eliminate the wheel hop, and didn’t impact normal driving much.  I recently installed new leaf springs (4.5 leaves from Detroit Speed) and didn’t reinstall the Caltracs.  I have not performed any burnouts … yet.
 
To my knowledge, the ‘Traction Masters’ make for a rough ride for a street driven car.  These bars are the ones used on the original GT-350’s, but one needs to remember these cars were made for racing.

 

I used to have the Shelby traction master drawings on the MustangSteve website.  I doubt they still exist since I do not own the site any more 
They do ride rough.

I have a set of smaller bars sitting I'll never use.   But I don't have the u-bolts or any other hardware.

Raymond_B wrote:

Yeah it's there, but all the pics have been resized down really small. Not sure it's even usable.
 

Oh boy!  I'd not realized that.  Sorry about the bum fish

Camera stick use aside, if you're ambitious you could build a set of Caltrac clones - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXUE8vu11PI

One of negatives on the Drake bars is the single shear bolt setup.  However, breakage is probably related to HP, traction, and excessive use.

6sally6 wrote:

Install of the 1/2 leaf and new shocks will give the same results for waaaaay less than a hundred bux !
Jus Say'in 6sal6

I had a 68 Charger back in the day and it had the extra half leaf spring (maybe even two) and it never had wheel hop. That gem would do third gear burnouts where the speedo registered 70 at a complete standstill. 

Fortunately my fastback has no wheel hop. I can blow the tires off at most speeds. It has some vintage "Magna" brand reverse eye leafs on it that looked fairly spindly. (BTW Mustangs Plus in Stockton used to have those made here in Fresno at Betts Springs.) No bars etc. I thought I might have to do the half leaf trick but (knock on wood) so far, nothing but smoke. 

 

Yes, they are still manufacturing a boat load of springs weekly. Mostly coil springs and they have added sway bars, but still doing leaf springs and torsion bars. 
Coincidentally, ran into Mike Betts about a month ago at an old guy social club meeting. He didn't remember me so I reintroduced myself (happens frequently.) Had a nice conversation and he invited me for a plant tour. 
They are doing really well and are a sixth generation California company. Their biggest business division is the truck service centers segment and they are growing that side rapidly. But their spring division is quite large and impressive. They manufacture a ton of private label coil springs for brands you recognize. Their manufacturing division is much larger than even a half dozen years ago when I last was in the plant on a project for a client who is a vendor of theirs. I asked Mike if he manufactured Viking and he said he's working on it. I mentioned the Magna rear springs on the FB and he said he made those for Ron Bramlett back in the day. 
Impressive operation, fairly incredible that they have been in business for 150 years. 
 

About as simple as it gets. Magna reverse eye springs, nothing else. (Yes, it now has a driveline and shocks. Basic KYB gas shocks.) Smokes 'em for days. Pulled up the other night and my across the street neighbor couple were doing yardwork and Megan called out "burnout?" So, I obliged her. Hardly takes any encouragement. Not sure the other neighbors are as supportive. 

Last edited by RCodePaul (3/13/2025 4:12 PM)

Mustang leaf springs do not fit a Cougar. But thank you for all the comments.